Liverpool held Memphis Depay talks with PSV Eindhoven - Marcel Brands

Liverpool were interested in signing PSV Eindhoven winger Memphis Depay, according to the Dutch club's sporting director Marcel Brands, despite manager Brendan Rodgers' insistence the Reds were never in for him.

However, Brands has claimed that he spoke with Reds chief executive Ian Ayre about the 21-year-old.

Brands said in the Daily Mail: "There was a lot of interest in him. Finally we spoke with three clubs and we made contact. They knew what we wanted and then it was up to the player to choose the club where he wanted to play.

"I didn't speak with Brendan Rodgers. I had contact with Ian Ayre. I know there were some problems with [Daniel] Sturridge, maybe that changed the decision.

"I don't know. I'm not in the club of Liverpool. I don't know what the policies are inside. But Man United were very fast and that changed the decision for Memphis. He made the final decision. He made his choice.